What is VOCAT?

The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) assists victims of violent crime access the support and compensation which they may need after being subjected to a violent or traumatic event.

VOCAT recognises three types of victims:

- Primary Victims: Individuals who have suffered physical or psychological injuries due to an act of violence.

- Secondary Victims: People who either witnessed the act of violence or are parents/guardians of primary victims under 18, and have sustained psychological injuries upon learning of the crime.

- Related Victims: Close family members, dependants, or those in intimate relationships with someone who has died as a result of violence.

VOCAT provides various forms of assistance depending on the type of victim, including funding for counselling, medical expenses, safety-related costs, and other recovery needs.

Primary victims may also receive a lump sum payment as recognition of their suffering. Moreover, victims can access ongoing support for several years to cover additional costs like further counselling and medical expenses.

In 2022-2023 Hutchinson Legal lodged twelve percent of these VOCAT applications through its sister firm, YourLawyer, which resulted in over $8M in assistance awarded to victims.

Later this year, a new Financial Assistance Scheme will be introduced, replacing VOCAT. The new scheme proposes to provide enhanced support for those affected by crime. While special financial assistance for the most violent crimes will increase from $10,000 to $25,000.

There are specific rules and limits on what can be funded. Seeking legal advice is crucial to ensure you receive the maximum entitlement. Additionally, a trauma-informed services approach recognises the profound impact that violence can have on individuals and their families.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us at 03 9870 8777 to schedule a free consultation. We're here to help.

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